Brief facts:
- President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky states that 150 people from Azovstal, another 300 from Mariupol, suburbs evacuated this week.
- Ukrainian government would continue to evacuate civilians from Mariupol on May 6 starting at noon local time.
- The attorneys general of the US, Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada held talks with their Ukrainian counterpart, Iryna Venediktova, on investigating war crimes.
- Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal arrives in Warsaw to attend Donors' Conference for Ukraine.
- Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny: Ukraine launched counteroffensives in Kharkiv Oblast.
- Senior US officials: U.S. intelligence is helping Ukraine kill russian generals.
- Russians renewed their assault on Mariupol, entered Azovstal plant.
- Russian troops shell central of Dnipro city.
- Russians have concentrated up to 40 helicopters near border with Kharkiv region.
Side note: news are marked in accordance with the Kyiv time zone: Eastern European Time (EET), GMT/UTC+2
Latest news
Thank you for your attention! This feed is closed. But Defense Express has already started a new one: Day 72nd of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)
Read more: Ukraine’s General Staff Operational Report: russia is Still Trying to Maintain the Land Corridor With the Temporarily Occupied Ukrainian Crimea
01:00 Ukrainian military have repulsed 11 attacks of russians in the area of the Joint Forces Operation, on Thursday, May 5, 2022.
The JFO press service announced this on Facebook
"Today, May 5, the Joint Forces have successfully repulsed 11 enemy attacks. Thanks to their skillful actions, our soldiers inflicted losses on the Russian occupiers," the post reads.
According to the press service of the Joint Forces Operation, defenders of Ukraine destroyed eight enemy tanks, 11 armored combat vehicles, 5 trucks.
At the same time the air defense units shot down seven russia/s Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
In JFO Area Defenders of Ukraine Repulsed 11 Russian Troop’s Attacks
00:45 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky: Russia has already fired more than 2,000 missiles on Ukraine.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russian troops have fired 2,014 missiles on Ukraine, and enemy warplanes have made 2,682 sorties into Ukrainian territory.
"In total, during this war, the Russian army has fired 2,014 missiles on Ukraine, 2,682 sorties of Russian warplanes in our skies have been recorded. Each of these sorties is the death of our people, the destruction of our infrastructure," President Volodymyr Zelensky said via video link at the Brave Ukraine charity event, broadcasted live on the UA together nationwide marathon, Ukrinform reports.
00:30 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky: 150 people from Azovstal, another 300 from Mariupol, suburbs evacuated this week.
During this week, 150 people have been evacuated from Azovstal steelworks, and more than 300 – from Mariupol and its suburbs.
The rescue operation has been continued on Thursday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said via video link at the Brave Ukraine charity event, Ukrinform reports.
The speech was broadcast live on the UA together nationwide marathon.
"Today, we have continued the rescue operation from Mariupol with the help of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. People are on their way to safe territory. More than 150 people from Azovstal and more than 300 from Mariupol and its suburbs have escaped thanks to the humanitarian corridor this week," Zelensky noted.
According to him, people are provided with medical and financial assistance, support in restoring documents and connection with relatives.
00:05 Deputy Prime Minister: Evacuation from Mariupol to resume on May 6. Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk posted on Telegram that the Ukrainian government would continue to evacuate civilians from Mariupol on May 6 starting at noon local time.
23:40 Operational-tactical group "East" reports that there were 2 Russian attacks on Thursday, May 5, 2022.
The occupiers lost:
- 32 troops;
- 3 tanks;
- 2 infantry fighting vehicles;
- 1 armored personnel carrier;
- 1 armored vehicle
- 1 mortar calculation;
- 1 truck;
- 2 UAV’s.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
Operational-tactical Group "East" Repulsed Two Russian Attacks, Eliminated 32 Ocupiers on Thursday
22:50 Pentagon spokesperson: Russian forces have made "some small progress" in Donbas region of Ukraine.
Russian forces have made “some small progress, particularly in the north part of the Donbas,” region of Ukraine, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said during a briefing on Thursday, CNN reports.
This small progress is not the progress that the US believes Russian forces “expected to make at this point,” in the region, Kirby added.
“In the Donbas region, we would still assess that Ukrainians are putting up a very stiff resistance. And that the Russians have not made the progress that we believe they expected to make at this point. That’s not to say they haven’t made any progress,” he said.
22:10 Assault on Azovstal ongoing: Ukrainian troops holding defense under heavy fire
In Mariupol, Russian troops continue their assault on the Azovstal steelworks.
"The assault on Azovstal continues. Defenders are holding the plant's fort under heavy fire. The enemy is using aircraft, artillery, and infantry," the Azov Regiment posted on Telegram.
21:40 The attorneys general of the US, Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada held talks with their Ukrainian counterpart, Iryna Venediktova, on investigating war crimes, the US justice department said.
The six justice officials “discussed their coordinated efforts to hold accountable individuals whose criminal actions are enabling war crimes in Ukraine”, the US Justice Department said in a statement, The Guardian reports.
US attorney general, Merrick Garland, in the statement: “Our commitment to working with our international partners, including Ukraine’s prosecutor general, to investigate and prosecute those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine remains steadfast. We will be relentless in our efforts to bring to justice those who facilitate the death and destruction we are witnessing in Ukraine.”
21:00 Reuters: Russian National Guard unit, Pskov paratroopers, Kadyrov fighters were present in Bucha.
A unit of the Vityaz security force, which is under the command of Russia's National Guard, the 76th Guards Air Assault Division from Pskov and Chechen units allied to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov were active in Bucha when it was captured by Russian troops.
That's according to an investigation conducted by Reuters, Ukrinform reports.
Reuters journalists spent three weeks in Bucha interviewing more than 90 residents, reviewing photographic and video evidence these locals shared and examining documents left behind by the Russians.
"Servicemen from Russia's Vityaz security force were among the occupying troops, an identity document found at the scene showed. Vityaz, whose presence in Bucha is revealed here for the first time, is under the command of the National Guard, Rosgvardiya. Its boss, Viktor Zolotov, who didn’t comment for this article, is a former Putin bodyguard and reports directly to the Russian president," the statement said.
A love letter found in one house that was occupied by Russian soldiers helped place in Bucha the 76th Guards Air Assault Division, a paratrooper force from Pskov in north-west Russia. The handwritten letter was addressed to soldier Aleksandr Logvinenko, who was later identified by journalists as a paratrooper from Pskov.
Journalists also discovered that at least three Chechen units allied to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, another fervent Putin supporter, were operating in the vicinity of Bucha during March
20:20 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has released an operational update on the state of warfare as of 18.00 on May 5, 2022.
According to Ukraine’s General Staff operational report, russian forces are stepping up the offensive in eastern Ukraine, regrouping and strengthening their troops
The enemy does not stop conducting offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone in order to establish full control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and maintain the land corridor between these territories and the occupied Crimea.
Find more details on the theme and key points of the report a publication by Defense Express:
Ukraine’s General Staff Operational Report: russia Provokes Tensions in the Self-Proclaimed Transnistria and in the Territory of Belarus
20:00 Almost 80% of the Chornobyl NPP’s territory has already been explored by sappers of the National Guard of Ukraine.
One of the facilities where the Guards currently perform tasks to detect and destroy explosive devices is the state specialized enterprise "Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant".
Currently, the demining teams of the National Guard of Ukraine and the State Emergency Serviceof Ukraine work here, Defense Express reports.
Almost 80% of the Chornobyl NPP’s territory has already been explored by sappers of the National Guard of Ukraine. Today, the radiation background on the territory of the nuclear power plant remains within the control levels.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
National Guard Sappers Demine Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant's Territory
19:40 UN: New convoy en route to evacuate Azovstal civilians.
A new United Nations convoy is on its way to the Azovstal steel works in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol to try to evacuate civilians, the UN’s humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, said, The Guardian reports.
The convoy comes after the UN and Red Cross said on Tuesday that more than 100 civilians were evacuated from the tunnels of the Azovstal plant, where Ukrainian officials say heavy fighting continues, to the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia. It marked the first completed civilian evacuation from Azovstal, where Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have been trapped for weeks.
Griffiths told a Ukraine donors’ conference in Warsaw: “Today as we speak, a convoy is proceeding to get to Azovstal by tomorrow morning hopefully to receive those civilians remaining in that bleak hell... and take them back to safety.”
18:45 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted an operational update regarding the russian invasion on 18.00 on May 5, 2022. Key points:
- At the same time, the enemy provokes tensions in the transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova and in the territory of the republic of belarus. russian occupiers are trying to improve the tactical position of the troops.
- In the Donetsk direction, russian invaders tried to capture Popasna, take full control of the city of Rubizhne and provide favorable conditions for the continuation of the offensive in the direction of the cities of Lyman and Severodonetsk, but were unsuccessful.
- In the temporarily occupied territories, russian occupiers continue to steal the products of agricultural enterprises. Also, russian invaders imitate humanitarian activities with demonstrative distribution of food kits and medicines to local residents.
- The enemy continues to launch missile strikes on transport infrastructure to prevent the movement of humanitarian aid and military-technical assistance.
- In the Slobozhansky direction, the enemy tried to restore the lost positions near the city of Kharkiv, made an unsuccessful attempt to attack near the settlement of Stary Saltiv.
18:25 The Prosecutor General’s Office: Russians shell monastery in Donetsk Oblast, wound 7 people.
Russian troops on May 4 shelled the Sviatohirsk Lavra, a monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Ukrainian branch in Donetsk Oblast, Kyiv Independent reports, siting Pravda.
17:45 More than 100 M777A2 howitzers have been already sent to Ukraine and most of them are already annihilating russian occupiers.
Defense Express has photo confirmation in the article: M777 Howitzers with Rocket Assisted Projectiles in Ukraine Taking Revenge on Bucha Massacre, Along With Irpin and Boyarka (Photo)
17:30 Azov officer Sviatoslav Palamar urges Zelensky to help wounded soldiers in Mariupol.
Sviatoslav Palamar, a deputy commander of the Azov volunteer regiment, said in a video address that wounded Ukrainian soldiers at the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol “are dying in terrible agony from inadequate (medical) treatment.” Palamar also said the bodies of dead soldiers should be carried away so that Ukrainians could say goodbye to their heroes properly. Meanwhile, the Russian occupiers are thwarting the evacuation of civilians from Azovstal, he said. Azovstal is the only pocket of Ukrainian resistance remaining in Mariupol, which has been besieged by Russian troops since February, Kyiv Independent reports, siting Pravda.
17:05 Operational Command North posted a successful lauch of Stugna-P ATGM and further destruction of an enemy supply vehicle. The strike conducted by the 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade servicemen.
16:45 Media: Pro-Kremlin blogger Anatoly Shariy arrested in Spain. The Spanish police confirmed that the Ukrainian charged with treason in his home country had been arrested. Shariy denies the accusations of treason, Kyiv Independent reports siting Pravda.
16:30 Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal arrives in Warsaw to attend Donors' Conference for Ukraine.
"We continue to work on the diplomatic front. Today we work in Poland where the International Donors' Conference for Ukraine is held," the Head of Government posted on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.
16:20 TheChairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy Andriy Gerus: Ukraine ready to halt transit if Europe drops Russian gas.
"As soon as European countries stop buying Russian gas, we will be happy to stop transiting it. That is why a united common position is important. We support the embargo on oil, petroleum products, coal, and gas," Gerus said, Ukrinform reports.
15:50 Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths: UN, ICRC send another evacuation convoy toward Mariupol’s Azovstal.
The United Nations plans to raise more than $2 billion to help Ukrainian refugees and those in need at home, and hopes to evacuate more people from Russian-occupied Mariupol. Also, Griffiths spoke about a joint operation with the International Committee of the Red Cross to evacuate people from Mariupol, Ukrinform reports.
15:30 It’s been already said that the first russia’s T-90M Proryv was destroyed a couple of days ago. But is it possible to determine how exactly it was annihilated?
Defense Express tried to find out in the article: Russia’s T-90M Proryv Destroyed. What Story One Picture Can Tell
15:15 Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny: Ukraine launched counteroffensives in Kharkiv Oblast.
Valeriy Zaluzhny, chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, announced that Ukrainian troops have now switched to launching counteroffensives near Kharkiv and the Russian-occupied city of Izyum in Kharkiv Oblast. He added that fierce battles still continue in the vicinity of Popasna, Kreminna and Torske in Luhansk Oblast, where the main efforts of the Russian occupiers are focused, Kyiv Independent reports siting Pravda.
14:45 Senior US officials: U.S. Intelligence Is Helping Ukraine Kill Russian Generals.
The United States has provided intelligence about Russian units that has allowed Ukrainians to target and kill many of the Russian generals who have died in action in the Ukraine war, according to senior American officials.
The United States has focused on providing the location and other details about the Russian military’s mobile headquarters, which relocate frequently. Ukrainian officials have combined that geographic information with their own intelligence — including intercepted communications that alert the Ukrainian military to the presence of senior Russian officers — to conduct artillery strikes and other attacks that have killed Russian officers, New York Times reports.
14:15 Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny: Ukraine needs M142 HIMARS, M270 MLRS.
“Traditionally I have briefed my American counterpart on the operational situation. In particular, about enemy's main effort shifts towards Luhansk direction, were in the vicinities of Popasna, Kreminna, Torske the heavy fighting is going on as well as about the shift to conterattacks on Kharkiv and Izium directions. Emphasized the resumption of the cruise missiles use by the Russian aggressor,” Zaluzhny posted on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.
13:55 A video leaked on the Internet shows a russian Mi-35M helicopter, which was shot down over the Kyiv Reservoir aiming to storm the Hostomel airfield in the first days of Russia's large-scale invasion.
Read more in the article: Alligator From the Bottom of River: Russian Helicopter Raised On Surface
13:30 The press service of the National Police of Ukraine: Twenty-four attacks launched on Luhansk region over past day.
"The towns of Sievierodonetsk, Lysychansk, Rubizhne, Popasna, Hirske, Zolote, Novodruzhesk, the villages of Orikhove, Voyevodivka, Toshkivske and Komyshuvakha came under massive fire. Nineteen infrastructure facilities were damaged. Four apartment blocks in Sievierodonetsk, 13 private houses in Lysychansk, Popasna, Hirske, Komyshuvakha, public utility enterprise premises in Novodruzhesk,” the press service of the National Police of Ukraine posted on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.
12:56 Morning report from the South
Operational Command "South" released a report on the current situation in the south of Ukraine. Key takeaways:
- No russian offensive recorded, but artillery shelling continues. In particular, one missile strike on Kropyvnytskyi and a "Smerch" MLRS fire on Mykolaiv. No casualties on the Ukrainian side.
- Ukrainian artillery works, too: approx. 14 personnel, 2 "Grad" MLRS, a "Msta-S" self-propelled howitzer and special equipment of russian forces were eliminated.
- Enemy fleet grouping remains the same: three missile carriers and a submarine
- The situation in the Transnistrian region is under observation and control, the state border defense has been strengthened.
12:41 European Union introduced the sixth package of sanctions
This one is yet to be adopted. The unanimous decision of 27 countries is needed for that, Stratcom Centre reports. If approved, the largest russian bank "Sberbank" and 2 other banks will be disconnected from the SWIFT payment network. Another major sanction is the gradual ban on russian oil products. All of them will be phased out in terms from half a year up to until the end of 2022.
Additional sanctions:
- russian TV channels will be banned;
- russians will be blocked from real estate transactions in the EU;
- European accountants and consultants won’t be able to provide services to russian companies.
12:25 President Zelensky announced the start of United24
The United24 is a global initiative to help Ukraine recover after the war ends.
"Its first component is an online platform to raise funds in support of Ukraine. Other projects and programs will be added soon. You can make a donation in one click from any country in the world," said Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine.
11:43 More than 300 russian drones in total destroyed in Ukraine
Since the start of the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, over 300 UAVs have been shot by Ukrainian air defense. The data was provided by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense on Twitter.
The drones are of various types. So far, most of them are of "Orlan-10"-type, there have also been shot "Forpost", "ZALA-421", "Cub" and cheaper civilian vehicles such as quadcopters.
Read more on the topic:
Nine russian Air Targets Hit on May 4
11:29 A seized russian IFV on Ukrainian service
Another piece of russian equipment is now serving Ukrainian Armed Forces, as reported by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. Border guards of the Sumy region have received a russian infantry fighting vehicle, now repaired and with a Ukrainian flag on it.
Russian forces had left Sumy region in late March, along with the retreat of occupiers from the Kyiv region.
11:12 Update on russian combat losses released
General Staff has published an update on russian total combat losses from 24.02 to 05.05 approximately. The numbers is parentheses represent the previous day losses. Find them in an infographic by Defense Express:
The most losses were recorded in the Popasna direction the previous day.
More details:
The 71st Day of the War: Russian Casualties in Ukraine
10:29 Russians shelled residential quarters in Kramatorsk
Oleksandr Honcharenko, Mayor of the Kramatorsk city of the Donetsk region reported that russian airstrikes hit residential areas in the city on the night of May 5. In the aftermath, 6 people were injured, at least 3 high-rises damaged, a school and a kindergarten.
10:12 Belarusian forces came into movement – British intelligence
Though they don't possess any actual threat to Ukraine or its allies yet, states the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom in the latest Defence Intelligence update on 5 May 2022. A garrison of belarussian army was deployed to the pre-planned training.
"Deviation from normal exercise activity that could pose a threat to allies and partners is not currently anticipated," said the report.
Still, russia is likely to use the momentum to "fix Ukrainian forces in the North, preventing them from being committed to the battle for the Donbas."
10:00 New operational report from Ukrainian General Staff
According to the report, as of 06:00, May 5 russian invaders renewed their assault on Mariupol port city in eastern Ukraine with the support of aviation. Also, some of the units in the east are not well-equipped. They have problems with arms and protection, not ready for performing set tasks.
Read the key points of the report here:
Ukraine’s General Staff Operational Report: Unprepared russian Forces Continue Offensive
09:43 Satellite imagery of Mariupol now
Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC show that russian army continues its assault on the Azovstal steel plant, just as reported earlier, Stratcom Centre noted. According to the commander of Ukrainian Azov Regiment, russian occupiers have broken trought onto the territory of the plant, the fighting continues.
09:20 More than 280,000 Ukrainians shared information about russian military movements
This is the number of messages about russian troops and/or equipment moving in the territory of Ukraine, gathered via a special app. The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, which designed this app, shared some information about it on Telegram. The minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, said the results are fascinating and provided some additional instructions.
Also, Fedorov published footage of russian drone, that was filmed and reported about via the app:
08:56 The second column of evacuees from Mariupol reached destination
The evacuation transport with people from the Azovstal plant, as well as other nearby settlements, have arrived in Ukrainian-controlled Zaporizhzhia city. It was reported by the local administration head Oleksandr Starukh.
"When asked by a journalist – 'What do you dream of?', one of the [evacuated] women cried and answered – 'To return to Mariupol, to my home.'," the official wrote on his Telegram channel.
08:32 More than 629 children were hurt during the war
Official data provided by the Office of the Ukraine's Prosecutor General says, 221 children were killed, and over 408 injured because of russia's unprovoked aggression. The numbers are not comprehensive due to ongoing hostilities, the information is updated.
A 10-year old girl was found dead of shrapnel wounds, inflicted by a russian shell hitting a house.
1584 Educational facilities were damaged by russian shelling, 118 of them completely ruined.
Ukrainian troops have liberated a few settlements in the South
Serhii Bratchuk, the Spokesperson od the Odesa region administration, informed that:
"Good news from the Mykolaiv direction. On the border with the Kherson region, our Armed Forces of Ukraine have liberated a few settlements. I hope there will be more of such news with every passing day," Bratchuk said.
The official did not specify the names. Also, he warned that there is a high possibility of further missile attacks on the southern city of Odesa, especially on the railway infrastructure.
07:06 Russian troops entered Azovstal
Head of the Ukrainian peace talks delegation David Arakhamia told Radio Liberty about the situation in besieged Mariupol, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
"For the second day, attempts to storm the plant continue. Russian troops are already on the territory of Azovstal," Arakhamia said, referring to the commander of the defending Azov Regiment.
The official said, as of the evening of May 4, Ukrainian authorities had connection with the defending forces in Mariupol, including the Azov Special Operations Regiment. Earlier afternoon Mayor of Mariupol Vadym Boichenko said there was no connection with the Ukrainian military at the Azovstal plant.
According to the latest General Staff's operational report, russian troops have renewed their assault in order to take full control over the Azovstal steel and iron plant, which has a large network of underground facilities.
00:49 The Armed Forces of Ukraine has destroyed nine enemy air targets for the previous day. The relevant statement was made by the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.
“On May 4, 2022, Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed two aircrafts (previously Su-30), two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and three cruise missiles. Besides this, air defense units of the Land Forces shoot down two enemy UAVs.” - the report states.
As Defense Express reported, russians are facing non-stop military losses on Ukrainian soil. About 24500 agressor's troops eliminated, 652 air targets of invaders were shot down thousands of tanks, armored vehicles and tracks were destroyed by defenders of Ukraine.
More details:
Nine russian Air Targets Hit on May 4
00:15 According to the Ukrainian journalist Andriy Tsaplienko post on Telegram, Ukrainian Forces on Wednesday destroyed Russian the main battle tank near the Kharkiv.
"Today's harvest of Kharkiv defenders. Russian T-90 tank. It's still smoking." - wrote Andriy Tsaplienko.
The image show a burned-out tank in the latest version of the Russian T-90 main battle tank, commonly known as T-90M Proryv (Breakthrough).
According to some reports, like one from The National Interest, unlike earlier generations of Russian tanks, the T-90M has practically every feature that modern Western tanks enjoy.
It is estimated that there are only twenty T-90Ms currently serving in Russia’s Ground Forces.
Read more: Day 70th of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)
